Multifunction quick connect socket for surgical retraction tools

ABSTRACT

A surgical stabilizer arm ends with a hybrid quick connect mechanism capable of holding tissue manipulator tools of either the ball type or the shaft type. The single integrated mechanism allows users to choose the type of attachment mechanism they prefer on a case-by-case basis. The mechanism has a spring-loaded sleeve that can be pulled back to enable an attachment (manipulator tool) to be inserted. A ball-style attachment is inserted through an opening in a grip cage, and a shaft-style attachment is inserted into an actuator (e.g., spring detent) through the claws of the grip cage. When the sleeve is released, a compression spring pushed the actuator forward, either pressing the ball attachment against the grip cage or pressing the spring detent against the shaft attachment to partially lock the attachment in place. Tightening a tension cable increases the pressure to fully lock the attachment in place.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser.No. 17/141,493, filed on Jan. 5, 2021, which is a continuation-in-partof U.S. application Ser. No. 16/600,810, filed Oct. 14, 2019, entitled“Ball-To-Shaft Quick Connect Adapter For Surgical Retraction Tools,”each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to tissue retractors andstabilizers used for surgical procedures, and, more specifically, to theattachment of retractor/stabilizer tools to the end of a stabilizer arm.

Many different types of surgical procedures are facilitated bymechanical devices to retract, restrain, or otherwise situate tissuesand other body structures in and around a surgical site. During cardiacsurgery, for example, a sternal retractor is typically mounted over thepatient having spaced retractor blades on a frame wherein the blades areinserted into an incision and spread apart for separating the tissuesoverlying the surgical site. The frame of the sternal retractor has alsobeen used to support additional “rakes” (i.e., retractors) and otherfixed tools or devices in order to manipulate organs or tissues withinthe larger surgical field, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,583, forexample.

For obtaining compact and strong placement of such tools while avoidingcomplicated position adjustment mechanisms, a stabilizer arm has beenemployed having a bendable shaft that is anchored to a fixed frame andhaving a quick-connect mechanism at its distal end for receiving variousattachments (i.e., tools, rakes, suction stabilizers, positioners, andother instruments). The attachments are collectively referred to hereinas tissue manipulator tools.

One example of a commercially-available stabilizer arm is the Hercules™Stabilizing Arm, sold by Terumo Cardiovascular Systems Corporation ofAnn Arbor, Michigan. This stabilizer arm includes a lockable,articulating column wherein a central tensioning cable is strung througha series of links. When the cable is tensioned (e.g., by rotating ahandle), the links move toward each other to interlock via a series ofball and socket joints. The column becomes rigid when the central cableis tensioned. Releasing the tension (e.g., by counter-rotating thehandle) returns the column to the flexible state. In the relaxed state,enough tension may be maintained to weakly remain in position as thecolumn is adjusted to a desired configuration. The ball and socketjoints are generally hemispherical so that side-to-side adjustmentangles are available over a wide range. The stabilizer arm may bereusable for many procedures after being properly sterilized. Thequick-connect mechanism at the distal end of the articulating columnreceives compatible tools that may be either disposable or reusable.

Various types of mechanisms have been adopted for the quick-connectfunction, including ball-type and shaft-type. For the ball-type, thetool includes a mounting shaft ending in a ball shape that is retainedin a collet on the distal end of the stabilizer arm. In an unclampedstate, arms of the collet are movable to allow the ball shape to besnapped into the collet. In a clamped state, the collet arms arecompressed against the ball to rigidly hold the tool. For the shafttype, the tool ends with a straight shaft which is inserted into anaxial bore on the distal end of the stabilizer arm. The shaft is held inthe bore by a movable latch or pin in the stabilizer arm that selectablypresses against the shaft. The shaft may have an indent or catch on oneside to engage the latch.

A typical surgical facility or room may have stabilizer arms availablewhich all employ just one of the types of quick-connect mechanisms.Since tools must be compatible with the quick-connect mechanism, anyparticular tool can be used only with a particular type of stabilizerarm. Thus, when only one particular type of stabilizer arm is availableto a user, only the tools compatible with that particular type can beused. It would be desirable to enable certain tools made for one type ofquick connect to be used (i.e., mounted to) a stabilizer arm having adifferent type of quick connect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a hybrid quick connect mechanism capable ofholding tissue manipulator tools of either the ball type or the shafttype. The single integrated mechanism allows users to choose the type ofattachment mechanism they prefer on a case-by-case basis. The mechanismhas a spring-loaded sleeve that can be pulled back to enable anattachment (manipulator tool) to be inserted. A ball-style attachment isinserted through an opening in a grip cage, and a shaft-style attachmentis inserted into an actuator (e.g., spring detent) through the claws ofthe grip cage. When the sleeve is released, a compression spring pushedthe actuator forward, either pressing the ball attachment against thegrip cage or pressing the spring detent against the shaft attachment topartially lock the attachment in place. Tightening a tension cableincreases the pressure to fully lock the attachment in place.

In one aspect of the invention, a surgical stabilizer arm isconfigurable to retain tissue manipulator tools with either a shaft endor a ball end. The stabilizer comprises a cylindrical sleeve with acentral cavity. A dual actuator is provided having a proximal end fixedin the central cavity and a distal end projecting from the cylindricalsleeve. The distal end has a push surface. The dual actuator has alongitudinal passage. A grip cage is provided having a cylindrical baseand longitudinal fingers projecting distally from the cylindrical baseforming a basket to retain the ball end. At least one pair of adjacentfingers defines a side opening for passing the ball end into the basketwith a shaft extending from the ball located between distal ends of thefingers. A swage catch is longitudinally slidable in the central cavityand has distal end retained by the grip cage at an interior surface ofthe cylindrical base. The swage catch has a proximal end adapted to bedrawn by a tension cable of the stabilizer arm. The dual actuatorfurther includes a cantilevered spring arm with a detent at a distal endwhich flexes in a radial direction. The spring arm has an equilibriumposition at which the longitudinal passage is open and a compressedposition at which the detent partially closes the longitudinal passage.The grip cage includes an interior sloped surface for compressing thespring arm to the compressed position when the grip cage is pulledtoward the cylindrical sleeve by the swage catch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a prior art stabilizer arm with a ball-typequick connect.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a retractor tool with a ball stem being mountedto the quick connect of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a side view of a retractor tool with an end shaft beingmounted to a prior art shaft-type quick connect.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the shaft-type quick connect of FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a hybrid quick connect mechanism capableof accepting either a ball-type or shaft-type manipulation tool.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the quick connect of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the exploded components of FIG. 6 .

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the quick connect of FIG. 5 in a closedstate.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the quick connect in the closedstate.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the distal end of the quick connect inan opened state.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal cross section of the quick connect in an openstate for inserting a ball-type manipulator tool.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the quick connect with theball-type tool fully captured and locked.

FIG. 13 is a vertical cross section of the grip cage.

FIG. 14 is a horizontal cross section of the grip cage and a swage catchprior to installation onto the grip cage.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the quick connect of FIG. 8 re-orientedto receive a shaft-type manipulator tool.

FIG. 16 is a vertical cross section of the re-oriented quick connect ofFIG. 15

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the quick connect of FIG. 15 is anopened state for receiving the tool.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the quick connect of FIG. 17 afterfull insertion and locking of the shaft-type tool.

FIGS. 19-24 are cross-sectional views of the quick connect mechanism inan assembly sequence.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a quick connectmechanism.

FIG. 26 is a vertical cross section of the quick connect of FIG. 25 .

FIG. 27 is a horizontal cross section of the quick connect of FIG. 25 .

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the grip cage of FIG. 25 .

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the grip cage and swage catch ofFIG. 25 .

FIG. 30 is a side view of the grip cage.

FIG. 31 is an end view of the grip cage.

FIG. 32 is an end cross section of the grip cage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a known stabilizing arm 10 with a handle 11, base 12,articulating section 13, and quick-connect mount 14. A clamp assembly 15attaches to a fixture of a sternal retractor, for example. A tensioncable extends from a proximal end of the stabilizing arm (e.g., from thebase or handle) to the distal end (e.g., the quick-connect mount or afinal fixed link in the adjustable linkage). A solid, stranded cable ora fiber resin can be used. In the example of FIG. 1 , an internalmechanism adjusts tension in the cable in response to rotation of handle11. Articulating section 13 has a plurality of nested, semi-sphericallinks which can be rotated within one another to provide bends in thedirection in which section 13 extends. When the cable is sufficientlyslack, the links are slidable but when the cable is tightened then thelinks bind together and section 13 retains a desired trajectory.

As shown in FIG. 2 , quick connect 14 is a ball-type mount with a collet16 for receiving a ball stem 18 of a manipulator tool 17 (e.g., amalleable finger for grasping tissues). When the tension cable is slack,circumferentially-spaced fingers of collet 16 flex apart to acceptinsertion or removal of ball stem 18. After tightening of the tensioncable, collet 16 retains tool 17 in a fixed configuration.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show another commercially-available mounting system formanipulator tools on a stabilizer arm. As shown in FIG. 3 , a shaft-typequick-connect mount receives a manipulator tool 21 (e.g., malleableretractor finger) having a mounting shaft 22 at its distal end. Shaft 22may preferably include a notch 23 along part of its circumference to becaptured by a latch or pin within a socket of quick-connect 20.

FIG. 4 provides an exploded view of mount 20, wherein a base 24 (whichis itself attached to an end link of the articulating section of thestabilizer arm) supports a casing 25 defining a hollow passage 26 actingas a socket to receive shaft 22. Passage 26 extends to an outer radialsurface at medial portion of casing 25 to form a flexible spring arm orbeam 27. At the end of spring arm 27, a detent 28 projects radiallyinward and a cam surface 29 projects radially outward. In itsundeflected (relaxed) state, spring arm 27 is in a position whereindetent 28 does not intrude into passage 26 (i.e., longitudinalinsertion/removal of a tool shaft within passage 26 is unobstructed). Aninward radial force on cam surface 29 deflects detent 28 into passage 26for retaining shaft 22 of tool 21. Preferably, notch 23 receives detent28 for positive locking of shaft 22, but locking can alternatively beachieved by compression of detent 28 against a cylindrical shaft withouta notch.

For selectably compressing cam surface 29, a tubular collar 34 isprovided. Two pegs 30 are installed in holes 31 to project radially fromcasing 25 and are received in axial guide slots in an inner hollowsurface of collar 34 to guide the axial sliding of collar 34 over casing25. An inner diameter of tubular collar 34 is tapered so that it islarger at a proximal end and gradually reduces toward the proximal endof collar 34 (opposite base 24). A spring 33 is attached between collar34 and casing 25 (or base 24) such that spring 33 pulls collar 34 overcasing 25 against or toward base 24. An aluminum ring 32 may be affixedat base 24 to hold the assembly together. Interference between camsurface 29 and the tapered portion of collar 34 presses down on springarm 27 causing detent 28 to project into passage 26. This prevents anattached tool from being inserted or removed until collar 34 is manuallypulled away from base 24. Once collar 34 is pulled up, the internaltaper collar 34 no longer applies pressure to spring arm 27, and toolshaft 22 can be inserted or removed very easily. When the user stopspulling on collar 34, spring 33 pulls it back down over cam surface 29,thereby locking detent 28 in place.

In order to operate with quick-connect mount 20, a manipulator tool ismade with an end shaft (with or without a notch). Since a ball cannot beincluded at the end of the shaft, such a tool is incompatible with aball-type quick-connect mount with a collet as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .The invention provides a hybrid quick connect mechanism that can graspthe end shaft of a manipulator tool with either a shaft end or a ballend.

The present invention provides a quick connect mechanism permanentlyinstalled at the distal end of a stabilizer arm. The quick connectmechanism is compatible with both ball-style and shaft-styleattachments, and it interfaces with the spherically shaped links whileanchoring the distal end of the tension cable.

FIGS. 5-24 show a first embodiment of a quick connect 35 placed at adistal end of a series of articulating links 36. As shown in FIG. 5 ,quick connect 35 accepts either the ball stem 18 of manipulator tool 17or the shaft 22 of manipulator tool 21.

The exploded views of FIGS. 6 and 7 show the components of quick connect35, including a grip cage 36, a cylindrical sleeve 37, a dual actuator38, a swage catch 39, a compression spring 40, a swage 41, and a firstlink body 42. Each of the components may preferably be comprised ofmetal (e.g., machined stainless steel). Swage catch 39 may be formed ofhardened steel. In some embodiments, some components may bealternatively be made of molded thermoplastic.

Swage 41 is affixed at the distal end of a tension cable 43. A pair ofpins 44 affix dual actuator 38 to cylindrical sleeve 37 such that aproximal end 47 is fixed in central cavity and a distal end 46 projectsfrom cylindrical sleeve 37 into grip cage 36. As seen in FIG. 7 , a pin44 may be press fit in an aperture 50 through sleeve 37 and extends intoa recess 51 to lock dual actuator 38 in place. Dual actuator 38 has apush surface 48 at distal end 46 (for retaining a ball-end manipulatortool) and has a longitudinal passage 49 (for receiving a shaft-endmanipulator tool). Push surface 48 preferably has a concavespherically-shaped surface profile matching the ball end.

The manner of retaining a ball-end tool will be described in connectionwith FIGS. 8-14 . For inserting the ball-end tool, quick connect 35 maybe held in the orientation shown in FIG. 8 so that a side opening 52 ison a top side. As shown in FIG. 9 , grip cage 36 has a cylindrical base53 and longitudinal fingers 54 projecting distally from cylindrical base53 to form a basket 55 to retain the ball end. Side opening 52 is spacedaway from the distal tip of grip cage 36 and between one pair ofadjacent fingers 54. Grip cage 36 is extendable from sleeve 37 and fromdistal end 46 of dual actuator 38 (FIG. 10 ) to unblock side opening 52,allowing the ball-end of the tool into the basket. An opening betweenfingers 54 along a central axis of quick connect 35 receives a shaftthat extends from the ball.

In a fully retracted state shown in FIG. 9 , base 53 of grip cage 36abuts a distal end of sleeve 37. Swage catch 39 is longitudinallyslidable in central cavity 45 and has a distal end retained by grip cage36 at an interior surface of cylindrical base 53. A proximal end ofswage catch 39 is configured to be drawn in a proximal direction bytension cable 43 which is captured by swage 41 at an interior portion ofswage catch 39. Swage catch 39 is comprised of an annulus or ring 56 atthe proximal end, a pair of longitudinal arms 57 and 58 extendingdistally from annulus 56, and a pair of barbs 59 and 60 extendingradially outward at the distal ends of arms 57 and 58 to be captured bygrip cage 36. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 , cylindrical base 53 has aninterior surface 66 into which a pair of notches 67 and 68 are formedwhich capture barbs 59 and 60 of swage catch 39 so that grip cage 36 andswage catch 39 always move in tandem.

First link body 42 has a spherical proximal face 61 adapted to interfacewith the series of articulating links. A distal hub 62 of body 42 alignsand retains cylindrical sleeve 37 in the retracted state when tensioncable 43 is under tension. In addition, swage catch 39 is drawnproximally until grip cage 36 is prevented from further movement (e.g.,by contacting sleeve 37).

When tension cable 43 is loosened, grip cage 36 can be extended as shownin FIG. 11 (e.g., by manually pulling grip cage 36 distally). Theforward movement also pulls annulus 56 distally and compresses spring 40between annulus 56 and dual actuator 38. Ball 18 can be lowered intointerior basket 55 in grip cage 36 via side opening 52. A shaft 63projecting from ball 18 is retained between the distal tips of fingers54. Fingers may have a pointed profile for guiding shaft 63 intoalignment with a central axis of quick connect 35 at a center opening64.

With ball 18 inserted, grip cage 36 can be released so that compressionspring 40 expands, thereby urging grip cage 36 to move proximally asshown in FIG. 12 . Spring 40 provides enough force to gently hold ball18 is position without moving under its own weight but allowingadjustments of its position, e.g., by rotating around the axis of shaft63 (while tension cable 43 may be slightly tight during adjustment ofthe articulating links). When cable 43 is brought under greater tension,then grip cage 36 is retracted with greater force. Fingers 54 have aninterior sloped surface 65 enclosing a portion of basket 55 so thatretraction of grip cage 36 compresses ball 18 between sloped surface 65and push surface 48 of dual actuator 38, locking it in place.

To summarize the ball-end attachment, a handle of the stabilizer arm canbe adjusted to loosen tension cable 43. A user pulls back cylindricalsleeve 37 from grip cage 36, which compresses spring 40 and allows theball to be placed through round side opening 52. When sleeve 37 isreleased, spring 40 pushes dual actuator 38 forward, which will pressthe ball forward to the front of grip cage 36. When tension cable 43 istightened, first link body 42 will push sleeve 37 and actuator 38forward, locking the ball against fingers 54 of grip cage 36.

The manner of retaining a shaft-end tool will be described in connectionwith FIGS. 15-18 . For inserting the shaft-end tool, quick connect 35may be held in the orientation shown in FIG. 15 with the side openingfor inserting a ball end facing downward (i.e., rotated by 180° from theorientation shown in FIG. 8 ). One reason for this orientation is toposition a cantilevered spring arm 70 (FIG. 16 ) toward the top of quickconnect 35 whenever a shaft 22 of the shaft-end tool includes retentionfeatures for being specifically engaged by spring arm 70 (e.g., a notch72). In particular, spring arm 70 carries a detent 71 at a distal endwhich flexes in a radial direction. Spring arm 70 has an equilibriumposition at which longitudinal passage 49 is open (FIG. 17 ) and acompressed position (FIG. 18 ) at which detent 71 partially closeslongitudinal passage 49. Sloped surface 65 inside grid cage 36 controlsthe radial position of detent 71 as grip cage extends and retracts. Forexample, interior sloped surface 65 compresses spring arm 70 radiallyinward when grip cage 36 abuts sleeve 37 in the fully retracted stateshown in FIG. 16 .

To connect shaft 22 of the tissue manipulator tool, the tension cable isadjusted to a loose condition. Cylindrical sleeve 37 and grip cage 36are pulled apart, compressing spring and allowing radial clearance forspring arm 70 to deflect outward while shaft 22 is inserted. Theequilibrium position of spring arm 70 and detent 71 may be arranged toclear longitudinal passage 49, or if passage 49 is still partiallyblocked then the advance of shaft 22 can deflect detent 71 outward bythe amount necessary. Attachment shaft 22 is inserted through grip cage36 and into passage 49 within dual actuator 38 (FIG. 17 ). A proximalend of shaft 22 lifts spring arm detent 71 and continues proximallyuntil detent 71 eventually settles into indent 72 of shaft 22. As shownin FIG. 18 , the releasing of sleeve 37 and grip cage 36 allowscompression spring 40 to expand and help push dual actuator 38 forward(with respect to grip cage 36). When the stabilizer arm handle is turnedto tighten the tension cable, first link body 42 pushes sleeve 37 anddual actuator 38 forward, locking the manipulator tool by preventingspring arm 70 from opening due to sloped surface 65 of grip cage 36.

FIGS. 19-24 provide an example method for assembling quick connectmechanism 35. In FIG. 19 , barbs 59 and 60 of swage catch 39 areinserted into to grooved notches 67 and 68 inside grip cage 36. Arms 57and 58 may flex radially inward to facilitate insertion into grip cage36. In FIG. 20 , dual actuator 38 is dropped through swage catch 39(between arms 57 and 58) into grip cage 36 (it is ensured that a topside of actuator 38 is opposite the side opening of grip cage 36 whichis used for inserting a ball-end of a manipulator tool). In FIG. 21 ,swage 41 is inserted through a center hole of annulus 56 of swage catch39. In FIG. 22 , tension cable 43 is affixed to swage 41 (e.g., bycrimping) and compression spring 40 is inserted between swage 41 anddual actuator 38. In FIG. 23 , cylindrical sleeve 37 is placed overswage catch 39. The two apertures (e.g., aperture 50 in FIG. 7 ) ofsleeve 37 are lined up with matching recesses or holes in actuator 38(e.g., recess 51 in FIG. 7 ) so that pins (e.g., pins 44 in FIG. 7 ) canbe inserted through sleeve 37 and welded or press fit (not shown) inorder to rigidly hold sleeve 37 to actuator 38. In FIG. 24 , tensioncable is fed through first link body 42, and hub 62 is inserted intosleeve 37. The remainder of the articulating links (e.g., alternatingball links and cup links) are assembled onto cable 43 and a handle withassociated components are added.

FIG. 25-29 show a second embodiment of a quick connect mechanism 75(sharing many identical characteristics with the first embodiment). Onlythe differences are described below. In particular, a cylindrical sleeve76 integrates the function of a first link body by virtue of a sphericalsocket-end 77 configured to receive a typical ball-end link of thearticulating links as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27 . Instead of a swage theextend partially through an annulus of swage catch 39, a swage ring 78is crimped to tension cable 43 inside swage catch 39. As a result, acompression spring (not shown) may bear directly against an interiorsurface of the annulus and against dual actuator 38.

In one aspect of the second embodiment, a grip cage 80 can rotatefreely, no longer requiring entire device to be rotated 180° to switchfrom a ball connection to a shaft connection. As shown in FIGS. 28 and29 , grip cage 80 has a cylindrical base which includes an annulargroove 81. Curved fingers 83 and 84 have an intervening slot 85. A sideopening 82 is adapted to receive a ball-end attachment. A shape ofgroove 81 is adapted to capture the barbs of swage catch 39 and topermit rotation of grip cage 80 on swage catch 39. Thus, an orientationof grip cage 80 can be manually rotated to place opening 82 at anyconvenient position to insert a manipulator tool.

For the purpose of finding the correct orientation for inserting ashaft-end tool, cylindrical sleeve 76 carries a visual indicatorindicating an orientation of the detent of the dual actuator tofacilitate insertion of a manipulator tool such that a notch in theshaft end is in alignment with the detent. For example, a depression 86in an outer surface of sleeve 76 (FIG. 26 ) is formed alongside a pin 44which holds a top side of actuator 38 (i.e., since the position of gripcage 80 no longer provides an indication of the orientation of actuator38).

As shown in FIGS. 30-32 , a single side opening 82 has been shown forinsertion of a ball-end tool. However, any or all of the openingsbetween adjacent fingers (such as opening 85) could be enlarged in orderto provide multiple side openings adapted to receive the ball-endattachments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical stabilizer arm configurable to retain tissue manipulator tools with either a shaft end or a ball end, comprising: a cylindrical sleeve with a central cavity; a dual actuator having a proximal end fixed in the central cavity and a distal end projecting from the cylindrical sleeve, wherein the dual actuator has a longitudinal passage; a grip cage having a cylindrical base and longitudinal fingers projecting distally from the cylindrical base forming a basket to retain the ball end, wherein at least one pair of adjacent fingers defines a side opening for passing the ball end into the basket with a shaft extending from the ball end located between distal ends of the fingers; and a swage catch longitudinally slidable in the central cavity having a distal end retained by the grip cage at an interior surface of the cylindrical base, and having a proximal end adapted to be drawn by a part of the stabilizer arm; wherein the dual actuator further includes a cantilevered spring arm with a detent at a distal end which flexes in a radial direction, wherein the spring arm has an equilibrium position at which the longitudinal passage is open and a compressed position at which the detent partially closes the longitudinal passage; and wherein the grip cage includes an interior sloped surface for compressing the spring arm to the compressed position when the grip cage is pulled toward the cylindrical sleeve by the swage catch.
 2. The stabilizer arm of claim 1 wherein the part of the stabilizer arm comprises a tension cable, and wherein the proximal end of the swage catch has an aperture for receiving the tension cable, further comprising: a swage adapted to be captured on the tension cable inside the swage catch and allowing the tension cable to slide distally through the aperture of the swage catch when the tension cable is not under tension.
 3. The surgical stabilizer arm of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical sleeve further comprises a visual indicator on its exterior surface indicating the orientation of the detent in the dual actuator for facilitating the insertion of a manipulator tool with a shaft end in alignment with the detent.
 4. The surgical stabilizer arm of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical sleeve and the grip cage are rotatable with respect to each other, enabling the grip cage to be positioned at any desired angle for insertion of a manipulator tool.
 5. The surgical stabilizer arm of claim 1, wherein the grip cage further comprises a locking mechanism that allows for temporary locking of the grip cage in an extended position, facilitating easy insertion of a ball-end tool.
 6. The surgical stabilizer arm of claim 1, wherein the grip cage includes an exterior texture or coating to enhance grip and prevent slippage of the manipulator tool during use.
 7. The surgical stabilizer arm of claim 1, wherein the swage catch comprises a proximal annulus, and the cylindrical base of the grip cage includes a pair of notches in the interior surface capturing the barbs of the swage catch.
 8. The surgical stabilizer arm of claim 1, wherein the grip cage includes multiple side openings, each adapted to receive a ball-end attachment, allowing for simultaneous retention of multiple ball-end tools.
 9. The stabilizer arm of claim 1, further comprising: a compression spring disposed between the dual actuator and the swage catch to urge the dual actuator toward the grip cage; a swage adapted to be captured on the tension cable inside the swage catch and allowing the tension cable to slide distally through an aperture in the swage catch when the tension cable is not under tension; wherein the compression spring bears against the swage and the dual actuator.
 10. The stabilizer arm of claim 1 wherein the distal end of the dual actuator has a push surface having a concave spherical shape to capture the ball end.
 11. A surgical stabilizer system, comprising: a handle; a quick connect mechanism for holding tissue manipulator tools with either a shaft end or a ball end; a plurality of successive articulating links each having a center opening; and a tensioner extending through the center openings between the handle and the quick connect adapter; wherein the quick connect mechanism is comprised of: a cylindrical sleeve with a central cavity; a dual actuator having a proximal end fixed in the central cavity and a distal end projecting from the cylindrical sleeve, wherein the dual actuator has a longitudinal passage; a grip cage having a cylindrical base and longitudinal fingers projecting distally from the cylindrical base forming a basket to retain the ball end, wherein at least one pair of adjacent fingers defines a side opening for passing the ball end into the basket with a shaft extending from the ball located between distal ends of the fingers; and a swage catch longitudinally slidable in the central cavity having a distal end retained by the grip cage at an interior surface of the cylindrical base, and having a proximal end adapted to be drawn by the tensioner toward the handle; wherein the dual actuator further includes a cantilevered spring arm with a detent at a distal end which flexes in a radial direction, wherein the spring arm has an equilibrium position at which the longitudinal passage is open and a compressed position at which the detent partially closes the longitudinal passage; and wherein the grip cage includes an interior sloped surface for compressing the spring arm to the compressed position when the grip cage is pulled toward the cylindrical sleeve by the swage catch.
 12. The stabilizer system of claim 11 wherein the proximal end of the swage catch has an aperture for receiving the tensioner, the stabilizer system further comprising: a swage captured on the tension cable inside the swage catch and allowing the tension cable to slide distally through the aperture of the swage catch when the tension cable is not under tension.
 13. The surgical stabilizer system of claim 11, wherein the quick connect mechanism further comprises a swage affixed to the proximal end of the swage catch, the swage being adapted to secure the tensioner tension cable and prevent unintended disengagement during surgical procedures.
 14. The surgical stabilizer system of claim 11, wherein the grip cage includes an annular groove on its interior surface, the annular groove capturing the barbs of the swage catch and allowing rotation of the grip cage on the swage catch to position the side opening at a desired orientation for convenient insertion of a manipulator tool.
 15. The surgical stabilizer system of claim 11, wherein the grip cage further comprises an adjustable locking mechanism to control the degree of grip force applied to the ball-end tool, allowing the user to adjust the retention force as needed.
 16. The surgical stabilizer system of claim 11, wherein the grip cage includes a release mechanism operable by the user to selectively release the ball-end tool from the grip cage, facilitating quick tool changes during surgical procedures.
 17. The stabilizer system of claim 11 wherein the distal end of the dual actuator has a push surface having a concave spherical shape to capture the ball end.
 18. The surgical stabilizer system of claim 11, further comprising a first link body connected to the quick connect mechanism, the first link body having a spherical proximal face adapted to interface with the articulating links of the surgical stabilizer system.
 19. The surgical stabilizer system of claim 11, wherein the tensioner includes a tension adjuster near the handle, allowing the user to adjust the tension applied to the quick connect mechanism for optimal tool retention.
 20. The surgical stabilizer system of claim 11, wherein the dual actuator includes a concave spherical push surface at its distal end, securely capturing the ball end of the manipulator tool in the grip cage. 